Cy Kuckenbaker Cy is a documentary filmmaker who I befriended in Lithuania as part of Peace Corps Group 9. In May 2005 he came to visit me in Zolokere where he shot a documentary short entitled, “The Troubles in Zolokere,” which he produced in an effort to raise funds for our development projects in Malawi. In December of 2006 he again returned to Zolokere to shoot more footage for the film he is currently working on, “Bush League,” which he is more suited to tell you about than me... cysfilm.com http://cysfilm.com
Antonio Paul Pereira Paul is a friend who deserves much of the credit for funding Tony Bomber’s Football Club, my other development projects and part of Cy’s documentary, “The Troubles in Zolokere.” It was his belief in me as a person and my vision that enabled us to not only implement our projects but to achieve some of our goals. His efforts here at home selling DVD’s, collecting soccer equipment and putting the word out about our projects along with his generosity has been second to none. Fortunately, in April of 2007 he was able to make his second visit to Zolokere and see some of what he had helped accomplish. He is also the owner of Lusamer Autobody Corp which is based in Newark, NJ. So when you do have car trouble you’ll know where to go.... lusamer.comhttp://lusamer.com
Michael T.Hunt Through marriage Mike is family but since college we’ve gone along as if its blood. He is also the drummer who laid down the tracks for all the songs on the album except the two that are acoustic. He now makes his living through woodworking in San Diego, California. In the three short years I was in Africa Mike really began to master the art, building anything from cabinets and beds to guitars and surfboards. He’s even designed a wooden kayak that is one of the more impressive of his pieces that I’ve seen. In July of 2005 along with my father, he paid a visit to Zolokere. I was proud to observe him share some of his craft to a few of the local drummers and woodworkers. Anytime I would mention his name in the village some of my friends would say, ‘“Yeah, Mike the white guy who can actually keep a beat” or something to that effect. blackoakproject.com http://blackoakproject.com
Gertrude Ng’ona My friend and groupmate John Fort from Peace Corps Malawi collaborated with Gertrude developing HIV Post Test Clubs in the Nkhotakota District. HIV Post Test Clubs are Community Based Organizations comprised of members who have participated in Voluntary Testing and Counseling for HIV/AIDS. In other words, the group offers counseling for people living with HIV/AIDS. Consequently, John has created a Myspace account for Gertrude for anyone interested in her work or contacting her. http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=151067827 http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=151067827http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=151067827shapeimage_7_link_0